CSU respectful of talented Josh Allen

Rams mindful of what Wyoming QB can do

By Mike Brohard

Loveland Reporter-Herald

Posted:
11/03/2017 04:38:47 PM MDT

Updated:
11/03/2017 04:39:42 PM MDT

Colorado State knows the numbers are down for Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen this season, but the Rams are more concerned about the potential damage he can inflict on Saturday. (Loren Orr / Getty Images)

Colorado State (6-3, 4-1) at Wyoming (5-3, 3-1)

5 p.m. today, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie

Series — CSU leads 54-45-5

Broadcast — TV: CBS Sports Network; Radio: 102.9 FM

About CSU — The Rams' 4-0 start to conference play came to a grinding halt at home against Air Force, as the Falcons never punted in the game. It is the third straight week the CSU defense has shown cracks, and this week they face a physically gifted QB in Josh Allen at time the Cowboys are improving.

About Wyoming — The defense has given the offense a chance to grow up, with play makers on every level of the unit. As a whole, they lead the conference in sacks and takeaways, as well as creating chaos. So far, the Cowboys have been stingy in the secondary, and that's what CSU does best.

Outlook — The Cowboys lead the Bronze Boot series 25-24, and the Rams would like to return the favor by regaining the trophy on Wyoming's home field. CSU has to play better than it has. It should. Prediction: CSU 31, Wyoming 27

FORT COLLINS — The hype, which came from out of the blue, was real enough.

In one simple statement, Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen went from relative unknown to the talk of the NFL Draft, and people came from all around to talk the new kid in the spotlight, the baby-faced manchild with mobility and a rocket arm.

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But the numbers haven't followed, and now the bandwagon has plenty of room. Allen, missing his top target from a year ago, as well as two quality running backs and an outstanding offensive lineman, isn't averaging 200 yards a game passing (181.3), nor is he completing 60 percent of his passes (55.9). He's thrown 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Believe what you want, but Colorado State coach Mike Bobo is following what his eyes tell him, and so are the Rams entering today's Border War in Laramie (5 p.m.; CBSSN) as the teams play for the 50th time for the Bronze Boot.

Call it the Allen Effect, because Bobo said the potential for damage is oh so real.

"A lot is going to be said about how he doesn't have the stats this year, he hasn't done this, hasn't done that, but this kid is 6-foot-5, 240-plus pounds. He is about impossible to tackle," Bobo said. "He makes play after play with his legs and his arm. When he scrambles, he scrambles to throw and throw the ball down field, and I'm not talking about in the flat, I'm talking about deep shots, 40-45-(yard) plus ropes to backside receivers. Countless times over the last two years this guy has made plays to win ball games. Truly, truly impressive kid."

It's all true. Bobo sees him stiff arm would-be tacklers and run away, comparing it to his 13-year old, Drew, bullying his younger brother, Jake, in the backyard. Then there is Allen's arm, which is amazing when his feet are set, even when he's off balance and throwing off his back foot.

He may look young, but his body says different. Allen does things most grown men didn't dream of doing when they were teenagers.

"Big kid. He's like tight end size. You don't see that in a quarterback. You can't just dive at him and expect this guy is going down. This isn't some little kid. This isn't little league. You have to run through him. You have to wrap up, grab cloth and go down with him."

As a secondary, there also isn't a route you can give up on, either. Allen can run, but it's not his preferred method of moving the ball. When he scrambles, there isn't a throw he still won't attempt, and that means even deep to the other side of the field.

Normally when a quarterback rolls right, defenders on the backside can give up. Not this week.

"He's got great vision and goes through his progressions and makes plays other quarterbacks would have trouble making," CSU safety Jake Schlager said. "He throws that ball across the field, and makes it look easy, where some quarterbacks have trouble throwing it in the boundary. It adds a different dimension in the game. You have to be aware of that."

The Rams know all of this, just as well as the Cowboys are only averaging 25 points per game, just 281.9 yards of total offense per game, the lowest in the Mountain West. Those numbers have been getting better as the season progresses, and the Wyoming defense has aided the cause.

In creating seven turnovers a week ago, they set up Allen and the offense for four touchdown passes and a 42-0 lead on New Mexico in short order. The Cowboys have been the hardest team in the conference to throw against (allowing just 160.4 yard per game), as well as leading the league in sacks and turnovers produced.

CSU counters with the best passing attack and an offensive line that has allowed just four sacks all year, but also with a defense reeling not just from last week's performance, but a stretch of three games that started when Nevada's Ty Gangi threw for better than 500 yards.

That surprised the Rams, and they know Allen has that kind of skill, and it's helped turned their season around, winning four of their past five games.

"They've played better the last couple of weeks offensively," Bobo said. "I think they're starting to get their groove. It's going to be a huge test for our football team. We're going to have to play really, really well to win this ball game."

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